I have to agree with Brendan.  I have driven through two blizzards to
Boston in a Vanagon and also around here in NJ during snowy season.  It
handles very well (and this is not a syncro).  I like the Yokohama 365
tires because they are so narrow and seem to grip very well.  I remember
on our trip to Boston in my old 85 non-GL Vanagon (Chris :-) we passed
so many SUVs spun out on the side of the road it was not funny.  Our
Vanagon just kept on truckin'.  I only drove 35 mph but we kept on going
and got there and back, no problems.  The only bad part is the rust that
occurs because of snow driving.  I would recommend driving through a car
wash every week in the winter if you have to drive in the snow.

Have a great day!
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Brendan Slevin wrote:
> I just have to say, I prefer driving Totoro, our 84 GL, over our 99 CRV in
> the snow and ice.  The van is SOOOO predictable.  I know exactly what it
> will and will not do on the iciest, nastiest roads in Bend, Oregon.  In the
> last couple days it's been way better, but the last couple weeks have been
> pretty bad.  The Vanagon is a tank through it all.  I did get a free set of
> 4 studded Hankooks with only a season on them just before thanksgiving.
> These help, though I could do without the studs most of the time, the snow
> tread and compound of the tire is wonderful.  Getting going, with the rear
> wheel drive and all, can be a bit hard sometimes but handling and stopping
> are great.  How much would I disrupt the balance of things if I loaded up a
> couple hundred pounds over the drive wheels for better off the line
> traction?  Besides the obvious slowing effect.
>
>
> Brendan
> I have measured out my life with coffee spoons. -T.S. Eliot
>
>